This is the scariest film I have ever seen. As recklessly intense today as it was in 1974, Tobe Hooper didn’t rely on blood and guts to terrify his viewers, but on realistic cinematography and phenomenal acting. Hooper understood that sometimes screams are more chilling than all the buckets of blood in the world.

2. The Shining (1980, directed by Stanley Kubrick)

This is the kind of film that gives you grey hairs. Unnerving and thrilling, this film sports some of the strongest imagery ever committed to film. There’s never a bad time to revisit the Overlook Hotel.

3. 28 Days Later (2002, directed by Danny Boyle)

Zombies that can run? That’s just unfair! Danny Boyle is an exhilarating filmmaker, and he injects a ton of weighty emotional drama into a tear-your-armrest-to-shreds experience. Features a stunning cast, including Christopher Eccleston (‘The Leftovers”), Brendan Gleeson (“The Guard”), Cillian Murphy (“Dunkirk”), and Naomie Harris (“Moonlight”).

4. The Exorcist (1973, directed by William Friedkin)

This film is immortal. While I don’t think it's the scariest film on this list, its place in cinematic history is undeniable. An onslaught of sickening visual effects, unforgettable performances, and the best obscene language in cinematic history.

5. Let the Right One In (2008, directed by Tomas Alfredson)

This film’s atmosphere is thick with oppression and hostility, constantly keeping the viewer on edge. For my money, this is the best vampire film ever.